Bird News

Have You Ever Seen A Blue-throated Mountain-gem?

The AOS Committee on Classification and Nomenclature-North and Middle America has decided to rename the Blue-throated Hummingbird as Blue-throated Mountain-gem. This is primarily a Mexican species, ranging from Oaxaca north through woodland mountains and canyons to southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, and western Texas. Vagrants have occurred as far north as northern Colorado, eastern California, and eastern Louisiana, according to eBird. Similarly, the name of the closely related Amethyst-throated Hummingbird, a resident in Mexico and Central America, is now Amethyst-throated Mountaingem. birdwatchingdaily.com

Possessive (PATRONYMIC) Bird Names

There is a movement afoot to abandon the fairly common possessives in English bird names. Indeed, the removal of the possessive apostrophe and “s” from patronymic bird names – mainly concerning the names of people – would result in new names such as Wilson Snipe, Barrow Goldeneye, Swainson Thrush, Audubon Oriole, and Brewer Blackbird.

Needless to say, this is not just about birds. The apostrophe – with or without the accompanying “s” – is increasingly falling into disuse in the current age of text-speak, signage, and character-counting. So choose a side, because this battle will surely continue! [from Birding Community E-bulletin]

Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) maintains a record of how close species may be to extinction. BirdLife International is responsible for annually measuring the health of the world of birds, and each year updates which birds are stable, which are in recovery, and which have slipped toward extinction. In the most recent release, there were a few surprises for us in North America. First the troubling stories:

Common grackle populations have been dropping. With numbers plummeting by more than 50% between 1970 and 2014, the species has now been classed as Near Threatened by IUCN. Pest-control measures may have contributed to this decline.

Eastern Whip-poor-will data have revealed that the species population fell by over 60% between 1970 and 2014. With a dependence on flying insects for food, the species may be declining due to pesticides, intensive agriculture, and other factors reducing insect availability. The species has been up-listed to Near Threatened this year

Rufous hummingbird could be sliding to extinction in plain sight, and the species has also been up-listed to Near Threatened this year. Its reliance on nectar and on insects during the breeding season may combine to put the species in jeopardy. This hummer may become a victim of climate change as early-blooming flowers in some locations could mean that hummingbirds arrive from migration too late to take advantage of this vital food source. Forest fires and changes in post-fire habitat conditions could also be contributing to the species' decline.

Now! The upbeat stories

Red-headed woodpecker, with formerly declining populations, may have stabilized. Now placed in a "Least Concern" category, the species' population is considered healthy and stable enough that it is unlikely to face extinction anytime soon.

Henslow's sparrow has stabilized, thanks in part to habitat management. In particular, the species has benefited from the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), where farmers are paid to remove land from cultivation and instead plant species that will improve the health and quality of the habitat.

Some of these changes fit into familiar patterns of habitat alteration, pesticides, and climate change. Whether or not you agree with all these findings, they deserve consideration. Please find more info here: BirdLife.org

Lack of Red Squirrels Results in Another ABA Checklist Change

According to the 28th American Birding Association (ABA) checklist committee report, there is a “split” from the Red crossbill(Loxia curvirostra). This newly separated crossbill is called Cassia crossbill(L. sinesciuris). It is recognized as being endemic to the South Hills and Albion mountains of Idaho. Its large bill has resulted from co-evolution with thicker pine cone seeds, mediated by a lack of red squirrels in the region. The scientific name sinesciuris translates to “without squirrels.” It will follow Red crossbill on the ABA list, and will be acceptable as being “countable” on your North American ABA area list.

Discovery: Rare Three-Species Hybrid Warbler

Declining population of one species may play a role

Ithaca, NY—Scientists have shown that a bird found in Pennsylvania is the offspring of a hybrid warbler mother and a warbler father from an entirely different genus—a combination never recorded before now and which resulted in a three-species hybrid bird. Photo: Rare triple-hybrid warbler (Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, and Chestnut-sided Warbler), Photo by Lowell Burket. This finding has just been published in the journal Biology Letters.

eBird’s Taxonomy Update - 2018

SPECIES SPLITS for birds in our area

Mexican Duck Anas diaziThe sexually monochromatic Mexican Duck is split from the widespread species Mallard Anas platyrhynchos. Mallard occurs widely in Eurasia and overlaps (and interbreeds) with Mexican Duck in its US range (border regions of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona) as well as in northern Mexico in winter. Mexican Ducks appear to be expanding in the northern portions of its range and also as a vagrant (north to Wyoming and Colorado and west to California).

Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceusFormerly considered one widespread species with migratory northern populations breeding in the USA and Canada, resident populations in northern and central South America, and migratory populations in southern South America. The species is now split, with North American breeders pertaining to Red-eyed Vireo Vireo olivaceus and South American breeders pertaining to Chivi Vireo Vireo chivi.

SHUFFLES of other Taxa and Subspecies Group Lumps

Roadside Hawk Rupornis magnirostrisFormer group Roadside Hawk (Mainland) [magnirostris Group] is now split into two groups, which differ substantially in plumage. The Northern group includes all of North America and much of northern South America, while the Southern group includes much of Amazonia and southern South America.

Dusky-capped Flycatcher (lawrenceii) Myiarchus tuberculifer lawrenceiiSubspecies groups in Dusky-capped Flycatcher were incompletely defined until this year. As part of this revision, our former subspecies group Dusky-capped Flycatcher (lawrenceii) Myiarchus tuberculifer lawrenceii was expanded this year to include all 8 North American subspecies, except Myiarchus tuberculifer olivascens, which is still recognized as a monotypic subspecies group Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Arizona).

American Pipit (alticola) Anthus rubescens alticolaThe subspecies group American Pipit (alticola) Anthus rubescens alticola is now merged with the rubescens Group. Although there are some subtle differences in breeding plumage, these subspecies are not reliably identifiable at most times of year and are hereby merged.

Black-capped Vireo Delisting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced the successful recovery of the Black-capped Vireo, thus removing the species from Endangered Species list protection. Thirty years ago, the population was down to about 350 individuals. Today, however, there are more than 14,000 birds estimated across the bird’s breeding range in Oklahoma, Texas, and Mexico. No longer will this species be listed among those considered Endangered and Threatened.

The vireo was Federally-listed in 1987, primarily due to the impacts of habitat loss and nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds. The USFWS concluded that the primary threats to the Black-capped Vireo have been reduced or adequately managed, and vireo populations are now expected to be viable in the future. Birding Community E-bulletin

Kirtland’s Warbler Proposal

The USFWS is proposing to remove this species from Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection. The Kirtland’s Warbler has traditionally nested in young jack pine forests in central Michigan, and has recently spread to parts of Wisconsin and Ontario. Still, this warbler has one of the most geographically restricted breeding distributions of any bird in the continental United States. The current Kirtland’s Warbler population is now estimated to be over 4,600 individuals, actually more than double the recovery goal. In fact, the warbler’s population has exceeded recovery goals for the past 16 years.

We now know that the warbler’s population had declined primarily for two reasons: loss of nesting habitat and brood parasitism caused by the spread of Brown-headed Cowbirds which significantly reduced their nesting success. After ESA listing, the first Kirtland’s Warbler Recovery Plan was crafted, involving multiple partners and outlining steps to increase the population of the warbler. The management of jack pine areas (involving the regular replanting of the trees in appropriate sandy soil) was essential, as was the control of Brown-headed Cowbirds.

Multiple partners have been crucial to the warbler’s recovery. “Without a doubt, this bird’s recovery is the result of cooperation among states, local residents, federal agencies, and conservation groups. This dedicated conservation community is committed to addressing the needs of the Kirtland’s Warbler into the future,” said Tom Melius, Midwest Regional Director for the USFWS. Before making a final decision, the USFWS must gather and analyze public comments and any new information. Publication of the proposed rule opened a 90-day public comment period, which closed July 11.

Facing Extinction: Some Examples

It’s interesting to view some predictions made by BirdLife last month. The organization reviewed a number of species that were once considered quite common and widespread but whose numbers are now plummeting. They looked at seven of these species last month, and some of them might surprise you. For the full listing, see → BirdLifeSurprises. Among the seven they include three that occur in North America:

Snowy Owl – Experiencing a rapid decline, most likely driven by climate change. Disruptions to snowmelt and snow cover can affect the availability and distribution of prey.

Black-legged Kittiwake – Rising sea temperatures are driving catastrophic declines in plankton populations, with an impact to the rest of the food chain, including fish. Plastics at sea (consumed by the kittiwakes) may be another threat.

The ESA Is Also Endangered

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) has been the strongest legal protection for wildlife since it was enacted in 1973. The success of the law is confirmed by the delisting of recovered species such as the Bald Eagle and Peregrine Falcon which probably would have been lost forever without the ESA’s protection. There are still many species whose survival depends on continued listing as endangered or threatened. The effects of climate change will likely imperil many more species as described above. Ongoing Congressional attempts to “modernize” the law are poorly disguised attempts to weaken the law. Audubon is one of many organizations that will continue efforts to maintain the ESA.

28th ABA Checklist Committee Report

. . . a hummingbird with two verified north American records, will be acceptable as being “countable” on your North American ABA area list. The Amethyst-throated hummingbird(Lampornis amethystinus) normally resides in Mexico and Honduras. It will be placed on the list between Plain-capped Starthroat and Blue-throated hummingbirds.

The Pine flycatcher(Emidonax affinis) was found in 2016 in the Santa Rita mountains in Arizona, where it unsuccessfully attempted to nest with a Cordilleran flycatcher. It will be placed between Dusky and Pacific-slope flyctchers on the ABA list.

There is also a “split” from the Red crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). This newly separated crossbill is called Cassia crossbill (L. sinesciuris). It is recognized as being endemic to the South Hills and Albion mountains of Idaho. Its large bill has resulted from co-evolution with thicker pine cone seeds, mediated by a lack of red squirrels in the region. The scientific name sinesciuris translates to “without squirrels.” It will follow Red crossbill on the ABA list.

Magnificent no more!

The Magnificent hummingbird was named in honor of the Duke of Rivoli, after it was described in the 1920s - the Anna’s hummingbird is named after his wife, the Duchess of Rivoli. It remained “Rivoli’s hummingbird” until the mid-1980s when it was re-named Magnificent. This most recent Supplement has split Magnificent hummingbird into the Rivoli’s and Talamanca hummingbird (the latter is found in Costa Rica)...

This split separates birds of southern Central America from those of Mexico, the U.S., and northern Middle America. Rivoli’s hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) is found in pine–oak woodlands from the southwestern U.S. south to northern Nicaragua; adult males have a peridot-colored (yellow-green) throat and blackish underparts. Talamanca hummingbird (Eugenes spectabilis) is found in cloudforest and high oak forests of Costa Rica and western Panama; adult males have a turquoise- or teal-colored throat and dark green underparts. The latter was originally named “Admirable hummingbird” by Robert Ridgway, but his suggestion was unheeded. Instead, Eugenes spectabilis has been named for the Talamanca Mountains of eastern Costa Rica. This split raises the not particularly serious question of what to call a Berylline X Magnificent hybrid, which birders had playfully dubbed “Beryificent Hummingbird”. Berivoli’s? Riviline? Photo: naturespicsonline.com

SPUR-OF-THE-MOMENT Field Trips

Email notices sent 3-7 days in advance - Monthly field trips sometimes miss good birding opportunities. To take advantage of great weather, when birds or butterflies abound, we started "Spur-of -the-moment Field Trips."

A notice is emailed to SWNMA members 3-7 days in advance, indicating where and when to meet and the destination. Watch for email, especially during migration season.

What is eBird?

eBird is a bird sightings website, managed by Cornell Lab of Ornithology, that receives over 100 million bird sighting reports every year from around the world. Enter your data to maintain a personal bird list, while providing information for others and data for science — submit info, photos & audio recordings with the eBird app, Android or Apple.

Curious about when and where a bird species is found? The Explore feature allows you to go to a specific county & view illustrated checklists, get information, lists and sighting location maps before or during your travels. Whether you list or not, your data is part of an immense citizen science project helping to inform the public and research that helps with conservation decisions. eBird.org

Winter Feeder Maintenance

Once considered a wintertime activity, backyard bird feeding now takes place all year. But the practice nonetheless accelerates in winter, so now is a good time to consider your own feeder maintenance schedule.

Simply put: keeping bird feeders clean is a good way to help keep your visiting birds healthy. Odd seeds, stuck in the nooks and crannies of feeders, can become wet and moldy. These can easily be removed with a brush and water sprayed from a hose. To be sure your feeders are clean, use a highly diluted solution of bleach and water (nine parts water, one part bleach). Tube-feeders are the most important ones to clean thoroughly. Immerse the feeders in the liquid mix for a couple of minutes, then rinse and let dry before refilling with seed. (Note: even diluted bleach can discolor your shirts, blouses, pants, etc.)

Also, rake and remove seed hulls and other debris immediately below your feeders on a regular basis to retard mold and bacterial growth. Birding Community E-bulletin:RefugeAssociation.org.